The Elizabethan Religious Settlement (1559)

The Elizabethan Religious Settlement

Why was the Elizabethan Religious Settlement important?

The Elizabethan Religious Settlement was an important moment in English history

Why was the settlement created?

It was created to bring stability after years of religious change under Henry VIII Edward VI and Mary I

How was the settlement introduced?

It was passed through Parliament and set out the type of religion every church in England had to follow

What did the settlement replace?

It ended Mary I’s Catholic system and replaced it with a form of Protestantism

What laws made up the Religious Settlement?

The settlement was mainly made up of the Act of Supremacy 1559 the Act of Uniformity 1559 and the Royal Injunctions 1559

What did the Act of Supremacy 1559 do?

The Act of Supremacy made Elizabeth the head of the Church of England

What did the Act of Uniformity 1559 do?

The Act of Uniformity ordered all churches to use the same Prayer Book and follow the same services

What were the Royal Injunctions 1559?

The Royal Injunctions explained how religion should be practised

The Via Media Middle Way

What was the main aim of the Religious Settlement?

The main aim was to create a middle way between Catholicism and Protestantism so most people would accept it

How was the Church Protestant?

The Church was Protestant in belief

What Catholic features were kept?

The Church kept Catholic style features such as bishops and traditional ceremonies

Why did Elizabeth allow vagueness in the Prayer Book?

Elizabeth allowed vagueness so different people could interpret it in their own way

How could Catholics interpret communion?

Catholics could still believe in the Real Presence in communion

How could Protestants interpret communion?

Protestants could see communion as symbolic

How did Elizabeth view the settlement?

Elizabeth saw the settlement as final

Why were some Protestants unhappy with the settlement?

Some Protestants wanted more reform and thought the Church was not Protestant enough

Political Importance

Why was the settlement political as well as religious?

The settlement was about politics as well as religion

What uprisings did Elizabeth want to avoid?

Elizabeth wanted to prevent uprisings like those under Edward and Mary

Why did Elizabeth avoid being too extreme?

She hoped Catholics would stay loyal

Why was foreign policy important to the settlement?

England was weak and Elizabeth did not want to anger powerful Catholic countries like Spain and France

Why did Elizabeth keep bishops?

Keeping bishops helped Elizabeth control the Church and maintain her authority

Long Term Impact

What was the long term impact of the settlement?

The settlement shaped English religion for a long time

What happened to Catholicism by 1603?

Catholicism slowly declined and became a small minority by 1603

Who were the Puritans?

The Puritans were Protestants who were unhappy and thought the Church was not Protestant enough

What did the Puritans try to do?

They spent years trying to change the Church

Who did the Church mainly serve?

The Church mainly served the interests of the state and the Queen rather than religion alone

Overall Summary

What did the Elizabethan Religious Settlement achieve overall?

It created a stable Church by taking a middle path between Catholicism and Protestantism helping Elizabeth maintain control and avoid conflict at home and abroad